Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\% Rebate System-Chapter 212: Exposing Eleanor-2

Eleanor swallowed. The notebook in her hand suddenly felt too heavy.

"I... I don’t know," she said, eyes lowered. "I never really thought about it like that."

Aurora didn’t look convinced. Her voice was soft, but there was something sharp hidden beneath the words.

"You’ve been around him a lot lately. It’s hard not to think about it."

Eleanor’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Aurora leaned forward again, her expression gentle but firm. "Just tell me the truth. Do you like him?"

Eleanor’s shoulders tensed, and she felt like she was backed into a corner. "He’s nice to me," she said carefully.

"I enjoy spending time with him. But that doesn’t mean I have feelings..."

Aurora lifted one eyebrow. "Would you get jealous if he dated someone else?"

That question hit like a dart to Eleanor’s chest.

Still, she kept her face as neutral as she could.

"...I don’t know," she muttered again, hoping to delay just a little longer.

But Aurora was done playing softly.

Without warning, she pulled out her phone and pointed the camera right at Eleanor. "I want a definite answer," Aurora said sweetly.

"With proof. Otherwise, I’ll just have to tell Theodore that you’ve been getting close to him with some ulterior motive."

Eleanor’s eyes widened. "W-What? Aurora, that’s not fair—!"

"Oh, but it is," Aurora said, still holding the camera up. "If you’re being honest, there’s nothing to be afraid of, right?"

Panic surged in Eleanor’s chest. Her hands gripped the notebook tighter. Inside, she called out to her system in desperation. "What do I do? Should I say yes? Should I just stay silent or decline?"

The system’s reply came in a cold, analytical tone.

[It’s better to say no. If you say yes, even slightly, Theodore might keep that video and use it against you later. When you try to break things off or confront him in the future, he can play this clip and turn the tables on you. Be smart. Say no—clearly and firmly.]

Eleanor breathed in sharply, trying to steady herself.

She looked up, smiled faintly at the camera, and said clearly, "Though Theodore is very good, and I really like him as a friend, I don’t have any other feelings for him. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to date him."

Aurora nodded with satisfaction. "Alright then," she said, and tapped her phone screen to stop recording.

Eleanor sat up straighter. "Can you... not show that to Theodore? Please?"

Aurora gave her an innocent smile. "Of course."

But in her heart, Aurora was already planning. If I don’t show it, how will my second brother finally move on from his feelings?

Just then, the kitchen door swung open and Theodore entered, holding two steaming cups of noodles.

"One for you," he said, handing one to Eleanor, "and one for my annoying but lovable sister."

"Wow," Aurora muttered. "Flattery and noodles? You’re learning."

Theodore grinned and sat down. "What were you two talking about? What video?"

Aurora opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Eleanor quickly jumped in.

"I was just asking Aurora about how to make Instagram reels," she blurted out. "Like... editing apps and stuff."

Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Really? Huh. If you make a reel and put me in as your partner, you’ll definitely go viral."

Eleanor forced a laugh. "I’ll... keep that in mind."

The three of them ate noodles and studied for the next two hours. Though Eleanor participated, her thoughts kept drifting. She kept sneaking glances at Theodore, wondering if he believed her excuse earlier.

Eventually, the clock ticked past nine-thirty, and Eleanor stood up, brushing her skirt.

"I should leave now," she said softly, slipping her notebook into her bag.

She hesitated just a second, glancing toward Theodore, hoping—willing—him to say, "I’ll walk you out."

But he only smiled. "Get home safe."

Eleanor clenched her jaw, cursing him silently for being an ungentlemanly oaf, then forced a smile and nodded. "I will. Goodnight."

After she left, the door closed with a soft click, and Theodore turned toward Aurora.

"So... what was Eleanor saying earlier?" he asked, curiosity lighting up his face.

Aurora paused, her eyes flicking to her phone. "She told me not to show you," she said hesitantly. "It was kind of private."

"She won’t mind," Theodore said with an easy grin. "Come on, Aurora. I’m your blood relative. I outrank her."

Aurora narrowed her eyes. "Still..."

"I’ll buy you chocolate brownie fudge."

Aurora blinked. "Hmm... that is tempting..."

"Two fudges. Extra warm," he added, with mock seriousness.

Aurora groaned like she was being forced. "Alright, fine. But only because I want two brownies."

She passed her phone to him, pulling up the saved video and handing it over.

Theodore watched, eyes fixed on the screen.

He replayed Eleanor’s words: "I like him as a friend... I don’t think I’ll ever be able to date him."

He frowned slightly. "She was hesitating. Maybe she was just shy?"

Aurora leaned back and crossed her arms. "You really think that’s all it is?"

"Yes," he said stubbornly. "She didn’t say she disliked me. That has to mean something."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "You’re delusional."

"I’m hopeful," Theodore corrected.

"Well," Aurora said, standing up and stretching, "let’s test that hope, then. Let’s ask someone else to watch the clip and see what they think. If another girl agrees she has zero feelings for you, will you finally let it go?"

"Deal," Theodore said, folding his arms. "Let’s see."

Just then, the door creaked open, and a girl stepped into the living room, brushing snowflakes from her coat.

"Hey," Adriana said, looking surprised to see them both still up. "Studying late again?"

Aurora’s eyes sparkled.

"Perfect timing."

Theodore blinked. "What?"

"Adriana," Aurora said sweetly, "come here. We need a girl’s opinion."

Adriana looked intrigued but suspicious. "What kind of opinion?"

Aurora grinned and patted the seat beside her. "Just watch this clip and tell us—does the girl in the video seem like she likes the guy... or not?"

Adriana raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "Alright... sure."

She sat down, and Aurora passed her the phone, a knowing glint in her eye.

Adriana finished watching the video and handed the phone back, her expression neutral but certain.

"She definitely doesn’t have feelings for you," she said simply.

Theodore blinked in disbelief. "What? That’s not possible."

Aurora gave him a smug look. "Told you."

"No, no, you don’t understand," Theodore insisted, leaning forward.

"Eleanor’s really good to me. She remembers the little things I like. Sometimes she texts first. Once, she even stayed behind just to walk home with me. She drops hints all the time!"

Aurora raised a brow. "What kind of hints?"

Theodore hesitated.

"Well, once she said my cologne smelled nice. And another time, she said I looked different in a good way. And she smiles at me—like, a lot."

Adriana exchanged a glance with Aurora, both growing more doubtful by the second.

"I hate to say it," Adriana murmured, "but that sounds like someone trying to keep you wrapped around her finger." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Theodore stared at her. "No way. Eleanor’s not like that. She’s too sweet—too innocent."

Aurora sat up straight, her tone sharp.

"Exactly. She’s so sweet and innocent that you’d never suspect her of using you. But think about it, Theo.

She gives you just enough attention to keep your hopes up, but not enough to commit. That’s classic emotional stringing along."

"I don’t believe it," he said firmly. "She wouldn’t do that."

Just then, Aurora’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and smirked.

"Well, would you look at that." She turned the screen toward Theodore. "It’s a message from Eleanor. She’s asking me to send her the video."

Theodore tilted his head. "Why would she want the video?"

Aurora’s eyes narrowed, the gears in her mind turning.

"Don’t know, but it is definitely not something good."

"No way," Theodore said, shaking his head. "That’s way too paranoid. Eleanor wouldn’t go that far."

"Let’s see," Aurora said, tapping her phone. "I’m sending it to her now."

.............................

Meanwhile, Eleanor sat alone in the backseat of a cab, the city lights flickering across the window beside her.

She clutched her phone, anxiety tightening in her chest.

She stared at her messages, then slowly typed a request to Aurora:

"Hey, can you send me that video we recorded earlier? Just want to keep it for reference."

After sending the message, Eleanor leaned back and sighed. Her thoughts raced.

"I’m not sure if Aurora will show it to Theodore," she murmured to the system in her heart, "but I can’t risk it."

[Agreed. If she does, there is a high chance he’ll misunderstand your intentions.]

Eleanor’s eyes sharpened.

"Then I’ll doctor the video. I’ll cut out my hesitation, change a no to yes and make it cleaner, more confident. That way, if she really shows him the original, and he ever compares it, I can claim that Aurora may have doctored the video."